Archives April 2023

I’m completed testing the 1-month Nuvesse worn out Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen Kit, as well as right here are my results!
As a participant in the Nuvesse worn out Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles One-Month Regimen set Test, I got product samples as well as payment for my time as well as effort. Although this publish is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. nuvesse.com #sponsored

You understand what?

I look like a whole new girl!

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OK, well, perhaps not totally new…but my greatest hope from the get-go in testing the 30 Day worn out Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen set by Nuvesse ($95) was that my dark circles would improve, as well as I’d be able to wear less makeup in that area. as well as with less makeup, my under-eye area would look a lot more natural as well as less cake-y.

I’ll be the very first to admit that I’ve boarded the train to Cake-ville with concealer lots of times over the past few years, as well as I just don’t want to do that anymore, considering that it makes me look older than my 41 years.

The $95 one-month regimen set includes four regular masks as well as a twice-daily serum roller.

What is Nuvesse?

“Nuvesse Skin Therapies, Inc. was established in 2004 as well as established a propriety wound-healing technology, HealSmart individualized Woundcare System (HealSmart™). The business realized that the application of its newest active shipment technology, Cellulation™ Technology, to skin care had the prospective to produce remarkable benefits as well as reach as well as introduced its very first skin therapy portfolio of products in mid-2014 into the aesthetic medical channel. After additionally refinement the business just introduced its new consumer brand, Nuvesse.”

— Nuvesse

Results & Conclusion: absolutely Better!

After utilizing all four mask sets as well as the serum roller religiously for 30 days, I’m delighted to state that my dark circles look much less intense than they did when I started.

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The before shot! This was the circumstance before I started the regimen.
Before starting the regimen on the left, as well as after 30 days on the right
They aren’t as intensely purple as they utilized to be, as well as they look general lighter. They likewise don’t, um…spread out as far as they utilized to, so I don’t have as much area to cover.

I’ve quite much stop utilizing color corrector on the daily. now I just utilize a bit concealer in the inner corners of my under-eye area as well as a bit of setting powder. just the tiniest bit! as well as that’s it.

What I don’t understand yet is exactly how long the modifications I’ve seen will last after I haven’t utilized the masks or the serum roller for a while.

Of course, ya know, it would’ve been terrific if my dark circles had totally disappeared back to when I was 21 years old as well as didn’t have to bother with them, however let’s be real. That was most likely never going to happen, however it makes me question if things would keep improving if I kept utilizing the regimen. If I’m already seeing a difference after the very first month, it seems like it’s possible.

Video Review

Using the Mask sets as well as the Serum Roller

Just like I did in the very first two weeks, I took photos as well as video to track my results over the rest of the month.

Whee! Mask time is meow time.
When I utilize the masks, there’s a terrific cooling sensation. This was the fourth as well as final mask… I was unfortunate when I completed them, however there’s still sufficient serum left in the roller to last a few a lot more weeks.
The peeling-off process is weirdly satisfying… This was ideal after utilizing the third mask (day #15).
Mask removal, ah…
Applying the serum roller
Pretty great for 1 Month

After completing the 1-month regimen
Final results once again after completing the regimen

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I truly took pleasure in doing this as well as seeing a visible modification at the end. I didn’t expect a miracle, however I’m type of addicted to the masks now. I believe I may keep utilizing them. even beyond what they did for my dark circles, it’s always fun to spend a bit meow time spoiling yourself, right?

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

PURPLE POWER! (Wearing urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in ZZ)
If I’d known what I was getting into yesterday before taking Connor to her first official outing involving a large group of babies, I would have done some deep breathing exercises or yoga beforehand.

We went to our first Kindermusik class, which is like a loosely organized music circle for babies. There’s a guitar-playing teacher who leads the troupe through songs and dances and baby sign language lessons and, basically, I lived a lifetime of emotions in the 40 minutes we were there. I got all the feels! Girl, I was a mess.

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What does this have to do with these new urban Decay Vice liquid Lipsticks? Well, I’m wearing them in this episodic representation of the emotional roller coaster ride I went on in Kindermusik class, LOL!

The urban Decay Vice liquid Lipsticks are a new line of lippies from UD. They’re $18 each, and these are the purple and pink shades. (I reviewed the orange and red shades and the nude and brown shades last week.)

These last about four hours on my lips, which is consistent with the other bright shades I’ve tried and ok for a liquid lipstick…although not exceptional. I was hoping they’d last longer, but I do have to say that they feel FABULOUS! The formula isn’t drying at all — another plus for a liquid lipstick — and I think they look great.

They’re available now online and at UD stores and counters.

The first emotion: nervousness, as told by urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Twitch

Urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Twitch
I was a little nervous when we walked into the class because, ya know, it was the first time Connor had hung out with a large group of babies. Was she going to scream? Was she going to be quiet and coy? would she be outgoing? would the other babies be nice to her? would she try to meow to everyone like she does to Tabs? I didn’t know!

Turns out she was fine. She was super cautious and reserved when we first sat down, but maybe she was picking up on my energy.

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The second emotion: pure joy, as told by urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in ZZ

Urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in ZZ
As the music started and everyone began singing and clapping and dancing together, she started to really enjoy herself. She was laughing, smiling and very interested in the teacher’s guitar.

The third emotion: togetherness, as told by urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Firebird

Urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Firebird

Pretty soon Connor and I got into the zone! I was lifting her up and twirling her around and bouncing her up and down. We rocked out, man. You don’t even know.

The fourth emotion: slightly grossed out, as told by urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Mad

Urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Mad
Then we did this one activity where we tossed a whole bunch of small inflatable balls across the room and, you know, babies being babies…some of them put them in their mouth.

I remember grabbing one of the balls, and it was completely soaking wet with spit. I thought, “Good lord, please don’t let Connor put this one in her mouth.”

I kept telling myself c’est la vie. It’s just what babies do, but still…I was slightly grossed out.

The fifth emotion: bittersweet, as told by urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Pandemonium

Urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in Pandemonium
There was a moment during the class — the strangest moment in the whole experience — when I felt overjoyed, but also a little sad. It was during quiet time. The teacher turned down the lights and turned on a quiet, soothing song. all of the parents quieted down and sat along one of the walls, and then the teacher started blowing bubbles into the air.

The babies emerged from the wall like awkward butterflies exploring the world for the first time. most of them stayed close to their moms and dads, but Connor just took off! She crawled as fast as she could to the center of the room all by herself like it was a stage, then stood up, did a little dance and waved both hands to everybody.

Then she crawled to the other side of the room and chased some bubbles. I kept trying to get her to come back to me, but she was too busy having a good time.

I started to tear up… It was a glimpse into the future. Someday she’s going to go out into the world, and I won’t be there to catch bubbles for her.

Makes me a little happy and sad at the same time.

The sixth emotion: relief, as told by urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in big Bang

Urban Decay Vice liquid Lipstick in big Bang
After seeing how happy and comfortable Connor was in the group, I felt relieved. She’s going to be OK. Me, on the other hand, I don’t know. If a Kindermusik class can drive me to tears, how am I gonna be when she graduates from high school??

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OMG! I’m getting ahead of myself.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

wearing pieces from the new Chanel Les Beiges summer 2015 Collection
There’s beige…a color which is typically associated with drab hospital walls, sensible shoes and cat barf.

That face you make when you find a fresh glob of goopy cat barf on your treadmill, beside which stands your cat, looking all smug and self-satisfied…
And then there’s Chanel Beige. also known as yaaaaaas.

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I have no idea how Chanel turned a color as historically boring as beige into something so covetable, but they did it with the new Les Beiges summer 2015 Collection.

Pretty pieces from the new Chanel Les Beiges summer 2015 Collection…

The Chanel Les Beiges summer 2015 collection includes…

Chanel Les Beiges healthy glow Multi-Colour broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in Mariniere No. 1 and Marinimere No. 02 ($65 each)

Les Beiges blush healthy glow sheer Colour Sticks in No. 20, No. 21 and No. 22 ($45 each)

Le Vernis nail Colours in beige Rose, beige Pur, precious beige and lovely beige ($27 each)

Levres Scintillantes Glossimers in 204 rose Tendre and 206 beige star ($30 each)

Les Beiges healthy glow Hydrating Lip Balm ($36)

Retractable Kabuki brush ($70)

Les Beiges healthy glow sheer Colour SPF 15 in No. 10, No. 20, No. 30, No. 40, No. 50, No. 60 and No. 70 ($58 each)

Les Beiges All-In-One healthy glow fluid broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in No. 10, No. 20., No. 30, No. 40, No. 50 and No. 60 ($45 each)

For the hardcore Chanel-ophiles among us, I’ll get to that striped face powder in the above picture and what it’s doing there in a minute, but first! — what is Les Beiges?

Well, it’s two things. One, it’s a line of sheer face powders in the Chanel permanent collection, and two, it’s also a collection of sun-protected and healthy glowing skin-themed annual summertime products released by Chanel for summer over the past couple years.

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Think polished but not overly perfected, and picture sheer tinted moisturizers, cream blushes and sheer face powders. All very summery.

This year’s Les Beiges summer 2015 release follow that same idea, and it includes multicolored face/cheek powders, stick blushes (these are new!), nail polishes, a couple of glosses, a balm, a retractable kabuki brush, face powders and tinted moisturizers. The only things listed on the Chanel website as “limited edition” are the tinted moisturizers, so here’s to hoping that most of these items stick around a while.

Chanel Les Beiges healthy glow Multi-Color No. 02 broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen ($65)

Now, about that striped face powder in the above picture…OK, I didn’t realize until after taking these pictures that this version here is from last year’s Les Beiges summer 2014 Collection.

Yup.

Whoops! My bad. This year’s version has more stripes (see here), as well as two colors in the pan instead of three, but if the 2015 version’s finish is like last year’s, which I believe it is, it should be worth checking out.

The pan of Les Beiges healthy glow Multi-Colour Powder in No. 02 in these pics, which I’m wearing as a sheer bronzer, creates a soft, natural-looking sheen/glow. In these pics I’m wearing it lightly dusted around the perimeter of my face, across the bridge of my nose and toward the back of my cheeks.

As for the other Les Beiges pieces I’ve been wearing…

Chanel Les Beiges All-In-One healthy glow fluid broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen

Chanel Les Beiges Sunscreen
Les Beiges All-In-One healthy glow fluid broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen, a tinted moisturizer with SPF, is lightweight, sheer (expensive) and pore-blurring, with a strong gardenia and green apple scent. Skin looks natural when wearing it, but ever-so-slightly perfected. When I use it, my skin tone appears even, but I can still see my freckles.

I wear shade No. 40, which is a deep tan with slightly peach undertones, and for reference, I’m a MAC NC42. My skin leans warm with yellow undertones, and No. 40 is a tad darker and peachier than I usually like to wear. but because it’s quite sheer, I think it’s still doable.

The moral of this story is this: if you can’t find an exact match for your skin tone with this product, don’t fret. If you can get close, you can probably still work it.

I really dig this tinted moisturizer. It’s comfortable and beautiful, and I love the non-fussy semi-matte finish.

I am kind of alarmed, though, that it’s listed on the Chanel website as limited edition. Why is the good stuff always LE? Ack! It SUCKS!!!

Chanel Les Beiges blush healthy glow sheer Colour Stick in No. 21

Chanel Les Beiges blush Stick No. 21 ($45)
Les Beiges blush healthy glow sheer Colour Stick in No. 21 feels exactly like Chanel’s cream Blush, except that it comes in stick packaging. What starts as a silky cream when it’s first applied dries down to a powder with a satiny finish. apply itwith either fingers or a brush because both work well.

No. 21, the shade I’m wearing in these pics, is a warm pinkish coral, and I’m kind of in love with it. Being visible but not hella obvious, it should be terrific for summer.

Also terrific for helping me on my quest to become “Cool Auntie Karen,” who differs from “Crazy Auntie Karen who wears too much Rouge.”

Chanel Les Vernis nail Colour in 663 lovely Beige

Wearing two coats of Le Vernis in 663 lovely Beige
Honestly, I can’t say that beige nail polish makes me want to drop my pants, but if there were a beige nail polish capable of doing that, it would be one from Chanel. Obviously.

This shade, 663 lovely Beige, is exactly that. A lovely beige. Ladylike and warm, it’s pigmented to the nines. You could easily do one coat of this peachy beige and go on your merry way.

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If you’re into classic, casual makeup that doesn’t look heavy, I think you’ll find something to love in Chanel Les Beiges, available now online and at Chanel counters.

Wearing the new Chanel Les Beiges summer 2015 collection on my face, and cheeks

Additional deets on this look…

Face — Chanel Les Beiges healthy glow sheer color No. 40, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Biscuit
Brows — MAC Brun Eye Shadow, Anastasia Brow Wiz clear Gel
Eyes — Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Tisse Mademoiselle, Chanel Stylo Yeux waterproof in Santal
Lips — Chanel Rouge allure in 158 Virevoltante, Chanel Aqualumiere in 91 Tutu
Lashes — Estee Lauder little Black Primer, Chanel Le volume de Chanel Mascara
Necklace — Ann Taylor
Shirt — Halogen (an older item)
Earrings — Tiffany Paloma Picasso Olive leaf Earrings

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

feeling plummy today with Tarte’s pretty Paintbox from the holiday 2016 collection
Look. At. This. Makeup.

Where was a going that I needed to put on makeup like this? I don’t know… I don’t think I was going anywhere. I wish I could say that I was going out to dinner or something, but I think the most exciting thing I did while I was wearing this look was take out the trash…

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I did run into my neighbor, though, and we talked about her pet dog a little, so at least somebody got to see the fruit of my labor IRL.

I’m wearing the Bite appeal Multistick in Cashew here, and I tell you — it’s the best color! It’s underneath a bunch of things on my lids. I sort of used it as an eyeshadow lid primer.

I think it’s SO beautiful, especially with colors like the ones I’m wearing.

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Eyes: Bite appeal Cashew Multi-Stick, Tarte pretty Paintbox eyeshadows (Van Gogh With It in the crease, and first Impressionism, hot MOMA and get Surreal mixed on the lids), Tarte Tarteist Black eyeliner (from the Wingworkers holiday set), Tarte Tartiest Mascara (from pretty Paintbox)

Cheeks: moment blush, Authentic highlighter and special bronzer from Tarte pretty Paintbox

Lips: dancing flowers from the MAC Nutcracker sweet retro Matte Plum Kit

I’m wearing kind of a rosy taupe-ish brown in my crease, and there’s some shimmery cool-toned purplish gray action happening on my lids that I made by mixing a bunch of colors in this Tarte palette (I marked them with hearts down below).

I grabbed a bunch of shades with the same brush, buffed them on the back of my hand, and then popped them on my lid.

It’s just a phase I’m going through. I like making my own colors. It makes me feel like I’m a mad scientist in a appeal lab or something…

OK, so, my lid color is very amazing toned, but I think it balances with the warmth of the browns in my crease. I like that juxtaposition, but of course you could absolutely stick to one or the other using just cool-toned shadows or warm-toned shadows, and still do a look like this.

MAC dancing flowers Lipstick
The shades I used from the pretty Paintbox…

The skin

I did something a little different for my skin this time. I set my timer and did my eyes first, but then when I looked at the clock, I only had like two seconds left, so I grabbed MAC Matchmaster shade intelligence Compact foundation in 4.0 and Sephora bright Future Gel Serum Concealer.

Goin’ for grungy imperfection on the eyes…
Oh, that highlight, though! It’s the highlighter from the Tarte pretty Paintbox…
First, I dabbed a little of the Sephora serum on my cheeks.

Next, I opened the MAC compact and kind of pressed a skunk brush into it, and you know how cushion compacts have that sponge? Well, I gently pressed the skunk brush into it to pick up some product. then I used that brush to buff out the concealer on my cheeks.

It’s just a really quick way to get a good amount of coverage that doesn’t take a ton of effort.

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The plummy matte lip is a really fun color from the MAC holiday collection called MAC dancing flowers Lipstick. I think it’s a really delighted color, and I like how it plays with the plum tones on my lids.

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

I’m on a mission to revamp my wardrobe. No much more sad tabby gray for this gal! first thing on my list: pants.

I recently discovered these incredible Rockstar Mid-Rise skinny jeans by Old Navy, so of course I had to share them with ya.

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See why you need these in your closet ASAP.

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As always, thank you for watching.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

new shades of Sally Hansen color therapy polish from the left! — falling Deep, Bronze Reflection, dusty Plum, Pink and Harmony, Cashmere Calm ($7.99 each)
1. These stunning nude Sally Hansen color therapy nail colors

I can’t decide what to wear for the next installment of Desperately seeking Persistent Polish! too lots of choices… I’m leaning toward dark burgundy falling Deep, considering that I wore a pastel cream last week. What do you think?

2. MAC Cosmo Lipstick

Busted this out for the first time in months and remembered why I love it so much. This neutral pink with a hint of brown is a charming everyday lip color, and it looks amazeballs with brown and taupe eyeshadows!

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3. Kim’s Convenience

I found the best show on Netflix! In every single episode, there’s at least one moment where I have to hit pause and yell to nobody in particular that “SERIOUSLY, THIS show IS generally MY LIFE.”

I’m not Korean, and my parents never owned a grocery store (they’re both retired accountants)…and I’ve never lived in Toronto (Bay area strong!), but the family stuff rings so true growing up Asian with immigrant parents — especially the miscommunication and how the family members express their love for each other. I’ve laughed and cried my way through both of the seasons on Netflix. It’s the most authentic show I’ve ever seen about growing up in an Asian immigrant family, but it’s also just good. very witty, funny writing IMO.

4. Iowa girl Eats

Found out about this terrific gluten-free cooking blog thanks to a recommendation from a reader (hi, Kate!). I like it because the recipes are yummy (priority #1, of course), easy to follow, and the ingredients are things you can find at a lot of any ol’ grocery store.

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BBQ Sausage, Beans and greens —-> this was a substantial hit in our household.

My fam-bam loved the BBQ Sausage, Beans and greens and Taco Chili (I wish I took a photo of the Taco Chili, but we inhaled it too fast).

Nobody was crazy about the Coconut chicken Curry, though… It tasted kinda bland, but if I try it again I’m gonna double the amount of curry spice.

5. Tom Ford Vanille Fatale Eau de Parfum

Otherwise known as “Eau de Schmexy Librarian,” otherwise known as “My new fall Scent Obsession.”

Think vanilla pods, old books, leather club chairs, seduction, and the lingering scent of sweet tobacco.

Va-va-voom!

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF.